In a bombshell development that has rocked the British monarchy to its core, former Prince Andrew—now stripped of his royal titles and known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor—was dramatically arrested today, February 19, 2026, on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The stunning move came directly on his 66th birthday, following a torrent of fresh revelations from the massive Jeffrey Epstein files released by the U.S. Department of Justice, which have reignited scrutiny over his long-standing ties to the convicted sex offender and financier.

Thames Valley Police swooped in early this morning with unmarked vehicles descending on Wood Farm, Andrew’s current residence on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, eastern England. Officers executed a swift arrest, taking the disgraced royal into custody without resistance. Searches were immediately launched at multiple addresses, including properties in Berkshire and Norfolk, as investigators comb through evidence linked to the explosive allegations.

The charges stem from shocking claims that Andrew, during his decade-long stint as Britain’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment from 2001 to 2011, allegedly shared confidential government documents with Epstein. Newly surfaced emails and records in the Epstein archive appear to show the former prince forwarding sensitive trade reports and other official materials to the late pedophile financier—an act that, if proven, could constitute a grave abuse of position and betrayal of public trust. Misconduct in public office carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment in the UK, making this one of the most serious accusations ever leveled against a senior royal in modern history.

This unprecedented arrest marks the first time a member of the British royal family has faced criminal detention in centuries, thrusting the House of Windsor into its darkest crisis since the abdication of King Edward VIII. Andrew, once second in line to the throne and a decorated Falklands War veteran, has seen his fall from grace accelerate dramatically. Stripped of his “His Royal Highness” title, military affiliations, and public duties years ago amid the Epstein fallout, he was further evicted from his lavish Royal Lodge residence earlier this month, forced to relocate to the more modest Wood Farm under his brother King Charles III’s oversight.

The catalyst for today’s dramatic action traces back to the U.S. Justice Department’s staggering release of over three million pages of Epstein-related documents in recent weeks. These files, made public under transparency laws, have exposed a web of connections involving powerful figures worldwide. For Andrew, the damning material includes correspondence suggesting he knowingly passed on classified or privileged information to Epstein, a man whose island and properties served as hubs for alleged sex trafficking of minors.

Public outrage has boiled over as details emerged. A citizen sleuth reportedly uncovered key evidence in the files and tipped off the BBC, sparking intense media coverage and renewed calls for accountability. Anti-monarchy groups and victims’ advocates have long demanded a full probe, pointing to Andrew’s settled civil lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre—who accused him of sexual abuse when she was underage—as just the tip of the iceberg. While Andrew has vehemently denied any wrongdoing related to sexual misconduct and settled that case out of court, the new allegations focus squarely on potential criminal breaches during his official trade role.

King Charles III wasted no time issuing a measured but firm statement: “The law must take its course.” The monarch emphasized support for a “full, fair and proper process” while declining further comment, underscoring the gravity of the situation for the royal family. Insiders say the arrest has sent shockwaves through Buckingham Palace, with senior aides scrambling to manage the fallout as the monarchy grapples with yet another reputational disaster.

Andrew remains in police custody as questioning continues. No formal charges have been filed yet, but the arrest threshold in the UK requires reasonable suspicion backed by evidence—suggesting investigators believe they have a strong case. The operation at Sandringham, a property owned by the Crown, adds symbolic insult to the royal scandal, unfolding on the very estate where the late Queen Elizabeth II spent her final days.

The Epstein saga has haunted Andrew for over a decade, ever since his infamous 2019 Newsnight interview where he defended his friendship with the pedophile and claimed he could not sweat due to a medical condition—a defense widely ridiculed. That disastrous appearance accelerated his downfall, leading to his withdrawal from public life. Now, with the Epstein files breathing new life into old suspicions, the former “playboy prince” faces potential imprisonment and permanent exile from royal circles.

Public reaction has been swift and furious. Social media erupted with a mix of schadenfreude, calls for justice, and sympathy from a small cadre of supporters who argue the case is politically motivated. Victims’ rights groups hailed the arrest as a long-overdue step toward accountability for the powerful. Meanwhile, royal watchers speculate on the long-term damage: could this force further reforms, or even accelerate discussions about slimming down the monarchy?

As Andrew sits in custody, the world watches breathlessly for what comes next—interviews, charges, or perhaps a dramatic defense. One thing is certain: the Epstein files have claimed their most prominent casualty yet, dragging the British throne into uncharted territory. The scandal that refuses to die has just reached its most explosive chapter, and the repercussions could echo for generations.